Name____________________________________

6 Billion and Counting

Objective:  In this lesson,you will explore the issue of human population.  You will discover what effects population growth and decline and why it is something we should all be concerned about. Several sites will be visited, so pay special attention to the instructions.

Site One:   http://www.popinfo.org/ --Take the 60 second tour and answer the following:

1.  What is the world population estimate according to the U.S. census bureau____________________

2.  How is human population growth hard on the earth?___________________________________

3.  What happens when there aren’t enough resources to go around?________________________

4.  What are three ways we can solve populations problems
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Go to "Issues Overview" (the link is at the top of the page) and read the article titled "Does the US Have a Population Problem" Answer the following:

5. What are some things that suggest the quality of life in America is declining due to a population problem? ___________________________________________________________________________
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6. The United States leads the world in the amount of consumption (see pie graphs).
The united states consumes what percentage of Oil _______ Aluminum _______ Paper ___________
The United States produces what percentage of the world's toxic waste: ______________

7. In what ways does the US encourage populuation growth?
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8. In what ways does the US encourage consumption? ___________________________________________________________________________
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Site Two:  Calculate your ecological footprint!

Use the "calculator" at the following site to enter data about yourself to determin the impact you have on the environment. http://www.lead.org/leadnet/footprint/intro.htm

How many acres does your footprint take up?  _____________

What percentage of the earth should be set aside for other species?   _________  Place this figure in the box.

Based on your choice,  each person would need to take up only ________ acres

And, it would take  ________  earths to support the human population at your standard of living.

Site Three:  Six Billion and Beyond -  www.pbs.org/sixbillion/

1. Look at the meter at the top of the page.  
What’s the current listed human population ____________________

2. Click on the countries on the map to compare their populuations.

USA _______________ Kenya ______________ Italy ________________

Mexico ________________ India __________________ China _________________

3. Look at the meter at the top of the page again.
Now what is the current human population? ________________________
How many people have been born since you got to this site? _________________

4. Read about China's population problems. What measures have been taken by the country of China to slow its population growth?

 

Another Interesting Site to Look at:    http://www.popexpo.net/eMain.html

Or play The Great Green Web Game at  http://www.ucsusa.org/game/